Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-07-22
SHEEP IN SUNNI Err.
Proper Care of the Flock as Necessary In
Warm as in Cold Weather


Warm as in Cold Weather
After the flock has been sheared, the
lambs dipped to kill the ticks, and the
warm weather has rendered longer
housing at nights unnecessary, many
farmers seem to think that the sheep
can be left to run at will in the pas
lures, with only an occasional looking
over. Yet experience has proved that
twice week is as few times as it is
profitable to make the visits to the
ilocks, They need salt as often as that
to keep them thriving, and it pays to
count the sheep every time they are
salted. A man accustomed to it can
count a large flock in a few minutes,
very correctly, if the salt is dropped in
small punches in long line. Then if
one is missing, the fact is discovered
within n day or two of the loss, and
the disappearance can be easily traced.
Another thing to be watched for
closely is the condition of the feet of
the sheep. If lame sheep is discov-
cred, il must be attended to at once.
If it is an injury, little tar or car
bolic ointment will hasten cure, and
prevent the attacks of flies, which are
sure to lay their eggs in every wound
not protected, and the maggots pro-
duce sore which rapidly saps the
strength, and even the life of the ami
NAL. If the lameness results from foul
in-the-foot, which is frequently the
case on wet pastures, cleaning and
scrapng out, and dressing of salt,
well rubbed in, will end the difficulty.
If it is foot-rot, which is likely if there
is any in the neighborhood, the whole
flock must be Immediately doctored.
In this case an ounce of prevention is
worth far more than the pound of cure.
If the flock is taken in hand when this
disease is first discovered, very few sore
feet will be found, and all the dressing
the well feet need is an application of
blue vitriol ointment between the hoofs.
In curing the foot-rot, promptness
and thoroughncss, and little oint-
ment. are necessary. Every foot of cv-
cry animal must be examined, and the
sore ones thoroughly pared and scraped
that no part of the affected places shall
escape contact with the ointment. Two
men will 90 over hundred sheep in
two or three hours, if not more than
three or four have sore feet, and if well
done, the one dressing is all that is need
ed. There are Il great many remedies
recommended for this disease, but we
aie satisfied, from much experience
with the various compounds, that the
simple mixture or ointment of pulyer-
| lied blue vitriol and lard equal weights,
is as good as the best, and is cheaper
and more convenient of application.
Then, too, being oily, it does not get
washed off by the dew or rain on the
grass. Neither does it cause so much
pain to the animal as butter of anti
mony and other sharp caustics. 1t is
necessary, of course, with this as with
all other remedies, to be sure that il
reaches every part of the diseased foot.
The sheep should have good water
where they can get at it whenever they
want it. They can go without for q
time, but il is at the expense OF thrift.
II TIE business is to yield profit, the
flock must have good feed, good water,
good care, and the personal oversight
OF the owner, the more frequently, the
better 1t is not necessary to pampei
the flock, but among so many animals
MS there usually are in flock. there ii
always some one which needs little
attention, and the little attentions
given when needed, are of the Creates
value to the thrift and profit of thu
flock. When the owner becomes
so well acquainted with his flock tina
he knows the face Of every animal
they know him, and then the flock Il
pretty sure to be SO well-aared for tha
1t yields him all the profit possible
Nallonsi Lire. S!Oob Journal